The National Book Awards are more diverse than ever, and they are younger, hipper, more edgy and more current.
Catching up with PW's Andrew Albanese
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Credit: Nancy Crampton
“The general sense of people who attended from PW is that the National Book Awards really has elevated its game in recent years under the leadership of Lisa Lucas,” reports Andrew Albanese, PW senior writer. “I used to attend the awards, and they were lovely events, but now they are just buzzing—they are more diverse than ever, and they are younger, hipper, more edgy and more current.”
In addition to awards for best books of 2018, the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community went to the Sloan Foundation’s Doron Weber, while the Medal for Distinguished Contributions to American Letters was awarded to Chilean-born author Isabel Allende.
“Allende is the first Spanish–language author and second not born in the United States to receive the award,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “In an emotional speech for her, and for those in the room, she accepted the award on behalf who come to America in search of a new life.”
Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.